

CNN 5 Things
CNN Podcasts
We bring you 5 stories that will get you up to speed and on with your day. Updates at 6am, 12pm, and 6pm Eastern, every weekday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 26, 2025 • 7min
Hegseth on Iran strikes, Planned Parenthood case, Trump’s media stock plunges & more
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticizes media coverage of US strikes in Iran. The Supreme Court has issued a blow to Planned Parenthood. Zohran Mamdani’s projected victory raises enthusiasm and questions from Democrats. We’ll tell you what Trump Media plans to do about its plunging stock. Plus, the Bezos-Sanzchez wedding is sparking controversy in Venice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 26, 2025 • 7min
Classified information plan, US economy shrank, AI-regulation block & more
Democrats aren’t happy the White House is planning to limit classified information access with Congress. The latest GDP figures show the economy shrank more than previously reported. Minnesota is the latest state facing legal action from the Trump administration. The “big, beautiful bill" could block states from enforcing AI-related regulations. Plus, Ecuador’s most wanted man has been caught. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 26, 2025 • 7min
CIA head on US strikes, Maryland judges sued, teen sprinting superstar & more
The CIA's director is backing the White House’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program was severely damaged by US strikes. We’ll tell you why the Trump administration is suing all 15 federal judges in Maryland. Mistakenly deported man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is staying in federal custody, at least for now. The controversial new CDC advisers plan to study childhood and teenage vaccination schedules. Plus, a teen sprinting sensation has just broken their own record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 6min
Israel-US strikes aftermath, Boulder suspect’s new charges, Bumble layoffs & more
Iran's foreign ministry weighs in on the impact of Israel and America’s strikes on nuclear sites. We have the latest charges filed against the man accused of hurling Molotov cocktails at Israeli hostage supporters in Boulder, Colorado. RFK Jr.’s new panel of CDC vaccine advisers met for the first time today. Senators grilled President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney during his confirmation hearing to be a federal judge. Plus, a popular dating app is making job cuts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 7min
NATO summit wraps, Kenya protests, merger goes bankrupt & more
We begin with key takeaways from a short NATO summit as President Donald Trump heads back to Washington. Two reports on Trump’s megabill present conflicting analyses. A US heat wave is exposing vulnerabilities in infrastructure and public health. Kenyan police clash with peaceful protesters one year since a deadly anti-government demonstration. And, two former rivals that merged have fallen out of favor with job hunters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 7min
US and Iran to meet, new US immigration plan, Mayor Adams on Mamdani & more
President Donald Trump says the US will meet with Iran next week, as he maintains US strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear sites. The Trump administration is considering a new plan as part of the President's immigration crackdown. We’ll tell you why congressional Republicans are struggling to pass Trump’s domestic policy bill. Zohran Mamdani delivers an upset in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary – the current mayor weighs in on the victory. Plus, the latest on the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 6min
Trump defends strike damage, NATO defense spending, rare new sea & more
President Donald Trump is standing by his statement about the severe damage US strikes did to Iran’s nuclear facilities, despite intelligence saying otherwise. NATO’s chief has praised Trump for forcing members to boost their defense spending. The Trump administration is being ordered to return another wrongly deported man to the US. We’ll explain how a study that doesn’t appear to exist was going to be used in a presentation to CDC advisors. Plus, a rare inland sea is forming in one of the driest places on Earth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 7min
US strike damage, NYC political earthquake, record-breaking heat & more
A CNN exclusive has revealed that the damage to Iranian nuclear facilities by US strikes is likely not as bad as the Trump administration claims. A major shock at last night’s Democratic primary for NYC mayor. President Donald Trump’s effort to scrap collective bargaining rights for more than a million federal employees has been blocked. Extreme heat has shattered records across parts of the US. Plus, we’ll tell you how Malala Yousafzai plans to improve women’s sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 24, 2025 • 7min
US strike assessment, Mozambique child kidnappings, Bobby Sherman dies & more
We begin with an early assessment of the US military’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as President Donald Trump attends a NATO summit in the Netherlands. House Democrats vented their frustrations with a canceled briefing on Iran. A federal jury has a verdict against a pardoned January 6 rioter who assaulted a Capitol officer. A human rights group warned of a rise in child abductions in an East African country. Plus, Hollywood mourns the loss of a former teen heartthrob. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 24, 2025 • 7min
Fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire, US braces for cyberattacks, McDonald’s boycott & more
A ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be on shaky ground after both sides traded strikes. Iranian hackers appear to be eying potential targets in the US. Consumers have been more cautious spenders lately. Boeing and the FAA are sharing the blame for last year’s blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight. Plus, the latest target in a string of consumer boycotts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


